title: Sensory impairments of the lower limb after stroke: a pooled analysis of individual patient data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To obtain more generalizable information on the frequency and factors influencing sensory impairment after stroke and their relationship to mobility and function.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pooled analysis of individual data of stroke survivors (N = 459); mean (SD) age = 67.2 (14.8) years, 54% male, mean (SD) time since stroke = 22.33 (63.1) days, 50% left-sided weakness. Where different measurement tools were used, data were recorded. Descriptive statistics described frequency of sensory impairments, kappa coefficients investigated relationships between sensory modalities, binary logistic regression explored the factors influencing sensory impairments, and linear regression assessed the impact of sensory impairments on activity limitations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients' sensation was intact (55%), and individual sensory modalities were highly associated (κ = 0.60, P < .001). Weakness and neglect influenced sensory impairment (P < .001), but demographics, stroke pathology, and spasticity did not. Sensation influenced independence in activities of daily living, mobility, and balance but less strongly than weakness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pooled individual data analysis showed sensation of the lower limb is grossly preserved in most stroke survivors but, when present, it affects function. Sensory modalities are highly interrelated; interventions that treat the motor system during functional tasks may be as effective at treating the sensory system as sensory retraining alone.
authors.affiliation: Stroke and Vascular Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Tyson
authors.forename: J Lesley
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Crow
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Winward
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hillier
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D004856:Postural Balance; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017741:Survivors
keywords: balance; mobility; proprioception; recovery; sensation; stroke; tactile